Events
35th annual Carytown Watermelon Festival returns to Cary Street this Sunday
The popular annual festival will feature tons of vendors, live music, and of course, watermelon!

The Carytown Watermelon Festival returns to Richmond’s Mile of Style this weekend for its 35th year. The annual celebration of the watermelon takes place in the heart of Carytown on W. Cary Street.
Expect a bevy of local food and retail vendors, food and drink specials at many of Carytown’s unique and vibrant restaurants, live music, and of course, plenty of cold, fresh watermelon sliced up and served by the bowl.
Last year festival organizers estimate over 118,000 people attended and over 3,000 watermelons were consumed.
It all takes place Sunday, August 12th in Carytown, W. Cary Street between Nansemond Street and N. Boulevard from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Check out the festival website for more information.

Events
PlanRVA Day on June 1st offers host of free learning opportunities
The Richmond region’s planning district commission is opening its doors to community members and partners next month for a day of learning and networking.

PlanRVA will host PlanRVA Day on June 1 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at its new office at 424 Hull St. Rd. in the Manchester neighborhood. The event will focus on the topic of placemaking, the process of creating quality inclusive places where people want to live, work and play. Sessions will explore various aspects of inclusion and public engagement, with a focus on community connection through regional trails, public art and the environment.
The day will conclude with a film screening of the documentary “A River Called Home” with filmmaker Jess Wiegandt from 6-7:30 p.m. The film focuses on the journey of four women who launch at the headwaters of the James River and paddle to the Chesapeake Bay over three weeks, while conducting a water quality study.
“PlanRVA is where the region comes together to look ahead,” said Martha Shickle, PlanRVA’s Executive Director. “Regional collaboration and cooperation happens every day in Central Virginia. PlanRVA Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’re making together to support quality of life and growth in the region. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event.”
Attendees can tour PlanRVA’s office space and connect with staff and community partners throughout the day.
Sessions are free, but registration is required. People can sign up for single sessions or for the entire day.
Downtown
Island Shrimp Co. to hold rum seminar with acclaimed Brooklyn spirits author, educator
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame.

Island Shrimp Co. at Rockett’s Landing is set to host a rum tasting event on Saturday, May 27th at 2:30pm, featuring Brooklyn-based spirits author and educator Shannon Mustipher. The event will showcase a range of regional rum styles, with a welcome cocktail and eight sample selections for attendees to try. Tickets for the seminar are priced at $35 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was named on the Bar World 100 list of the most influential people in the industry.
In addition to the rum tasting, Shannon will be signing copies of her book “Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails,” and will remain at the venue for a special happy hour from 4-6pm. The happy hour event is open to the public and will feature three cocktails from the book.